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Feature sponsored by
XR: AUGMENTED, MIXED AND VIRTUAL REALITY FEATURE
xr technologies With the global spotlight shining on climate
change, companies are looking to innovative and complementary technologies that will help them to reduce emissions, while future-proofing their operations. Theorem Solutions examines how the adoption and deployment of extended reality (XR) technologies can help
I
n 2019, the European Manufacturing sector was responsible for an annual total of 880 million tons of carbon dioxide; while, in
the US, manufacturing accounts for almost a quarter (23%) of direct carbon emissions. Countries and companies are therefore having to agree to new climate regulations in the bid to reduce their carbon footprint and future- proof their operations. But how can the use of extended reality (XR) technologies – an umbrella term that encompasses the immersive Augmented (AR), Mixed (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies – help companies go green? XR technologies allow data – such as 3D
CAD and PLM data – to be interacted with as a 3D digital representation in context, and at full scale. But while XR devices may not seem like they are making much of a difference to an organisation’s green credentials, small changes in the early stages of product development can filter along the product’s lifecycle, from the initial design stages to the finished product rolling off the production line. So where can you
use it?
design reviews and proToTyping
The design review process often starts with teams looking at a CAD design on a computer screen. However, you never quite get the full picture through a 2D monitor – it can be hard to imagine
OCTOBER 2022 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 45
the true shape and scale of a product, and whether the ergonomics of a design will translate to a physical product. The next step is usually to produce 3D models
of the product, sometimes at full scale or sometimes as a smaller representation. Either way, additional materials such as clay or foam are required. If the modelling phase needs more than one iteration of a model, then the amount of material used (and the waste product) adds up. Then, once the team have finished using the models, do they get thrown away or are the materials repurposed? By using XR technology, design reviews
can be conducted in context and at full scale, giving designers and engineers the chance to make changes without having to build additional models. The changes can be made
go green with eco-design:
in the CAD system and then re-checked in the XR device. This saves on physical design iterations and therefore the need for modelling materials, which in return reduces the waste produced as excess.
Training
XR is also great for training. If errors are made when practicing a process (such as the assembly of a component) virtually, materials are not wasted and machinery does not needed to be used. Furthermore, the training process can be repeated as many times as necessary, so when the operator is experienced enough, the materials and machinery should only need to be used once.
collaboraTion
Today’s products are rarely developed with the luxury of co-located teams. Globally distributed design is practically unavoidable, and increased home working is further adding to the challenge on effective collaboration between design teams. By using the collaboration capabilities of
XR to connect with globally located teams for processes such as design reviews and factory layouts, the need for previously required travel is redundant. With air travel being a major
contributing factor to CO2 emissions, taking that need for travel away will make a difference to your green credentials (and your wallet!).
sTarTing small is sTill a sTarT
Obviously there are changes that need to be made to manufacturing process on a grander scale in the attempt to cut emissions and waste, but these projects could take years to implement and cost a lot of money. Switching to XR for some smaller elements, like those mentioned above, may not make a massive dent in the fight against climate change, but it’s a good place to start!
Theorem Solutions T: 01827 305350
www.theorem.com
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